Archive for January, 2010

I call Karsmakers cosmopolitan. Foreigners frequent the place, which has an unusually large space to accommodate them, along with high ceilings and windows and bright lighting. Like other cosmopolitan places, the prices also can be slightly high (hot drinks ~3-4eu), but it may be worth it. Don’t expect a huge meal; just treat it as the good meeting space that it is.

For all you foreigners who haven’t yet found the place, check it out Sunday morning by Place Lux for some hot chocolate, bagel sandwiches, cinnamon buns, an espresso and a newspaper. They also have free wifi for now, so it’s also one of the less common cafes in Brussels where you can study or do work pretty easily.

Someone told me that some guy who speaks neither French, English, nor Dutch had opened up a bar or cafe somewhere around Place Lux, and that it’s frequented by practically all blond-haired Scandinavians. They aren’t dressed in full parkas and Viking costumes, but the atmosphere was northern enough, and the hot chocolate might be decent over there. Something to check out later…

Nestled in the center of Brussels in a quiet quarter south of the Grand Place is Restobières, the fabled specialist in Belgian dishes cooked in beer. Although it’s maybe ten minutes away from the nearest metro by foot, the cuisine and cozy atmosphere is worth the walk.

Business was slow when we went, so the friendly waitress had lots of opportunity to help us choose beers and main dishes off the extensive menu. A variety of unique beers were on offer that really shouldn’t be missed.

Of course the food was the kicker. I had the beef carbonnade (12 euros), along with chunky stoemp mashed potatoes mixed with spinach and other vegetables. It may sound like every other carbonnade in Belgium, but no — this meat was tender and juicy, and the rich beer sauce went perfectly with it. The stoemp scoops also were unique, and had a roasted flavor in them. This classic Belgian dish also looked as good as it tasted.

The next time I go back, I want to try the salmon filet in Kriek sauce. Maybe I can order it take-out?

In addition to the place that serves homemade pasta at Chatelain, we also have to try the mushroom specialty place at St. Gilles and the place that cooks everything in beer somewhere around Porte de Halle. After that there’s supposedly a really good Belgian place by the Japanese and Nigerian restaurants at St. Boniface. Not to mention the place that specializes in hot chocolate in Antwerp and Ghent, as well as a special bakery right up Naamsestenweeg outside Leuven. And then there’s a restaurant for the Anderlecht football team? Is that even true?!